Cigarette chest



CIGARETTE CHEST Filed Oct. 21, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l TNVEMTQL fienf/qg CYQcwmde/f O orL y 19424 'B. F. RAMSDELL. Q v 2,281,617

CIGARETTE CHEST Filed Oct. 21, 1959- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 5, 1942 UNETED STATES A FI-QE 11 Claims.

The present invention pertains to a novel form of chest for cigarettes, cigars and the like.

Generally stated, the aim of the present invention is to provide a novel chest of such character as to afiord storage space for a large number of compactly arranged cigarettes, but so constructed that when the chest is opened the cigarettes are presented to the user in position for easy removal.

More specifically, it is an object to provide such a chest containing a number of trays, each constructed to receive a layer of cigarettes or the like, and disposed in registering relation for maximum compactness, when the chest is closed, but the chest being arranged to displace the trays rectilinearly relative to each other into stepped or terraced relation as an incident to the opening of the chest, so as to expose for removal, the contents of all of the trays.

The invention also resides in various novel aspects of the chest structure by virtue of which low cost and sturdiness of construction are combined with simplicity and effectiveness of operation.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a cigarette chest embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective View of the chest in its open position.

Figs. 3 and 4 are end elevations of the chest, partially in Section, showing the same respectively in closed and open position.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the trays for the chest.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the inner end of the chest cover.

Fig. 7 is a eneral perspective view of a modi- 4 fied form of chest embodying the invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the chest of Fig. '7 in its open position.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail, the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the first illustrative embodiment of the invention (Figs. 1 to 6) the exemplary chest comprises a series of flat shallow trays H), H, 12, and t3 on which cigarettes or the like arereceived. These trays have identical outline .dimensions and are disposed in face-to-face relation, being enclosed by a casing having two hingedly connected sections designated generally as M and I5. In brief, the arrangement is such that when the casing is closed (Figs. 1 and 3) the trays are in registering, in this case superimposed, relation; and when the chest is opened 7 (Figs. 2 and 4) the trays are automatically moved rectilinearly, relative to each other in their respective planes, into a terraced or stepped relation in which all of the cigarettes in the chest are exposed for extraction. Both the casing and trays are desirably made of molded synthetic resin such as Bakelite.

The casing section It forms, in the present instance, a bottom for the chest while the other section I5 forms a swingable closure or cover. For such purpose, the bottom section I l is generally fiat and rectangular in form with small bosses l6 (Figs. 3 and 4) on its lower surface to form slider feet for the chest. The bottom tray I!) of the series is molded integrally with the bottom casing section It and the latter is recessed as indicated at H (Fig. 4) to lighten the structure. The other or top casing section I5 is of rectangular box-like shape and telescopes over the series of trays when the chest is closed (Fig. 3). The cover section I5 is pivotally connected to the bottom section 14 by a hinge 3 extending along the lower rear edge of the cover section.

Each of the trays Hi to l3 has in its top surface a series of transverse grooves or recesses l9 (Fig. 2) dimensioned to receive individual cigarettes. These grooves l9 terminate short of the rear edges of the respective trays (see the top tray in Fig. 2 and tray l2 in Fig. 5) so as to limit the depth of insertion of the cigarettes. An integral guard strip 29 extending across the face of the upper tray 13 holds the cigarettes in place in it, while in the case of the other trays Hi to IE, the cigarettes are held in place by the lower side of the next adjacent tray. To space the trays apart sufiiciently for the reception of cigarettes in the grooves I9, upstanding integral end rails 2! (Fig. 2) are provided and in each case the next adjacent tray slides on the rails of the tray below it.

To interconnect-the trays ii! to E3 so that they will be displaced sequentially into terraced relation upon a lateral displacement of one of the end trays in the series, lost motion connections are provided between them. For this purpose,

upstanding tongues or ribs 22 (Figs. 3 and 5) are formed on each of the end rails for the trays I0, II and I2. These tongues are received in complemental grooves 23 fashioned in the lower sides of the trays ll, l2 and 13. The grooves 23 extend in the same direction as the cigarette receiving grooves IS in the faces of the trays and are of substantially greater length than the tongues 22. Consequently, when the top tray I3 is pulled to the right (as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4) the left end of the groove 23 will abut against the tongue 22 after a portion of the tray l2 has been exposed.

Thereafter the trays l2 will also be pulled to the right and after a portion of the tray H has been exposed, its tongue 22 will be engaged by the left ends of the grooves 23 in the tray l2. In this way the whole series of trays is finally moved into terraced relation, as shown in Fig. 4, in response to the lateral displacement of an end tray in the series, in this case the top tray 13. The tongue and groove connections between the respective trays also guide them effectually for the desired rectilinear movement.

In order to retain the trays H to 3 removably in place within the casing, sheet metal brackets 24 (Fig. 2) are arranged at opposite ends of the series of trays. The flanged base ends of these brackets are fixed to the casing bottom section 14 and at the free or upper ends of the brackets intumed lips 25 are shaped to overlie and slidably engage the top trays end rails 2!. Preferably, the brackets are notched as indicated at 26 so that the upper portions thereof can be readily flexed outward to disengage the top tray l3 during assembly or disassembly of the chest. When positioned, as shown, the brackets eifectually retain the trays in stacked relation so that they will not become separated during any turning or handling of the chest.

Cam means is provided for drawing the top tray I 3 laterally, as an incident to opening of the casing cover section I 5 and for restoring the tray to its registering position with relation to the bottom tray upon reclosure of the cover. This means comprises integral lugs 21 (Figs. 3 and 4) projecting from the ends of the top tray. These lugs are loosely received in cam grooves 28 of inverted L-shaped form fashioned in a correspondingly shaped integral ribs 29 on the inner faces of the cover and Walls (see also Fig. 6).

The upper legs of the cam grooves 28 (as viewed in Fig. 4) are generally arcuate about the axis of the h nge l8 as a center. Consequently, the lugs 2! ride freely in these upper portions of the cam grooves, as the cover [5 is swung toward its closed position, and the trays remain stationary in their terraced position. Then, as the lugs 2'! reach the knees of the cam grooves the outer faces of the latter abut against the lugs and thrust them to the left as the closing movement of the cover continues until the trays are all finally shifted into their registering or superimposed position upon complete closure of the cover section (Fig. 3).

Similarly, upon opening of the cover, the top tray I3 is pulled to the right (as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4) due to the camming action of the Walls of the grooves 28 on the lugs 21 during the initial opening movement of the cover. The parts are so dimensioned that the trays will be substantially fully projected into the terraced relation by the time the lugs 21 ride over the knees of the cam grooves. In this way the trays are smoothly and easily shifted into and out of terraced or stepped position as an incident to opening and closing movement of the cover 15. When the chest is closed the trays are arranged to occupy a minimum of space so as to afford maximum storage capacity. On the other hand, when the chest is open the trays are all offset with respect to each other so that the user has full access to any cigarette within the chest.

To form a friction catch for holding the cover section I5 closed, rounded bosses 2 1. are struck up on the sides of the brackets 24. These bosses are positioned to ride into the lower ends of the cam grooves 28 when the cover is closed and engage the shoulders at the ends of the grooves. When the cover is pulled open the resiliency of the sheet metal forming the brackets permits the necessary disengagement of the bosses.

A modified form of cigarette chest embodying the invention has been shown in Figs. 7 and 8. This chest is generally like that of Figs. 1 to 6 exceptv that it is arranged to rest on what was before the rear wall of the chest and the casing section which was previously the bottom is now arranged to swing in opening of the chest while the other section remains stationary. Some small modifications in the casing sections have been made to accommodate this reversal of parts, but the interior construction, including the trays, etc., is identical with that of the previously described chest. The same reference numerals have been used to designate identical parts.

In the present instance the chest casing comprises a box-like main body casing section I5 which is open at its front. Bosses [5 on the bottom of this section support the chest. The front of the casing section l5 is closed by a hinged front wall or section Id having a thumb piece W on its upper edge which is grasped by the user in opening the chest.

As was heretofore noted, the tray structure within the chest is identical with that previously described and includes the same series of trays ID to l3. One end tray [0 in the series is integral with the casing front wall M while the other 'end tray l3 in the series is provided with lugs received in cam grooves 28 fashioned on the end walls of casing section lii Though the trays are interconnected and operated in the same manner as before, and move rectilinearly with respect to each other, the motion of the trays has a somewhat different appearance due to the reversed relation of the casing sections. Thus, when the chest is open the trays are, of course, disposed in terraced relation (Fig. 8) as before and are horizontal. -Upon swinging'the member H upwardly to closed position, however, the whole series of trays are moved bodily in a generally arcuate path, in addition to their rectilinear shifting movement relative to each other, so that when the chest is closed (Fig. 7) the trays are vertical and rest on their bottom or inner edges. It will be appreciated, however, that whether the chest be arranged for front or top opening (Figs. 8 and 2 respectively) the actuating mechanism for moving the trays is substantially'identical and in either case a smoothly running system is achieved.

I claim as my inventioni 1. A chest for cigarettes or the like comprising, in combination, a series of fiat trays arranged in face-to-face relation, each of said trays having a plurality of parallel recesses therein open at one edge of the tray to receive cigarettesor the like, means for guiding and confining said trays for rectilinear movement with respect to each other in a direction paralleling said recesses from a position of registering relation in which each tray covers the recessed face of the next tray in the series to one of terraced relation in which each tray is laterally offset from the next to expose portions of said recesses for the removal of the cigarettes or the like stored therein, a casing for said series of trays including a hinged casing member, and means for shifting said trays from registering relation to terraced relation and vice versa in response respectively to movement of said hinged member from closed to open position and vice versa.

2. A chest for cigarettes or the like comprising, in combination, a series of fiat trays arranged in face-to-face relation, each ,of said trays having a plurality of parallel recesses therein open at one edge of the tray to receive cigarettes or the like, means guiding said trays for rectilinear movement in a direction paralleling said recesses to expose portions of said recesses for the removal of the cigarettes or the like stored therein, said last named means including upstanding tongues on the trays received in grooves in the opposed faces of the next adjacent trays, said grooves paralleling said recesses and being of substantially greater length than said tongues, a casing for said series of trays including a hinged casing member, and means for shifting said trays from registering relation to terraced relation and vice versa in response respectively to movement of said casing member from closed to open position and vice versa.

3. A chest for cigarettes or the like comprising, in combination, a series of flat trays arranged in face-to-face relation, each of said trays having a plurality of parallel recesses therein open at one edge of the tray to receive cigarettes or the like, means guiding said trays for rectilinear movement in a direction paralleling said recesses from a position of registering relation in which 1 each tray covers the recessed face of the next tray in the series to one of terraced relation in which each tray is laterally offset from the next to expose portions of said recesses for the removal of the cigarettes or the like stored therein, said last named means including lost-motion tongue and groove connections between adjacent trays in the series, means for releasably restraining the trays against displacement in a direction at right angles to their faces while leaving the same free for relative sliding movement in a direction parallel to their faces, a casing for said series of trays including a hinged closure member, and means for shifting said trays from registering relation to terraced relation and vice versa in response respectively to movement of said closure member from closed to open position and vice versa.

4. In a chest of the type described, the combination of a series of generally flat trays arranged in face-to-face relation, a substantially rectangular casing dimensioned to enclose said trays, said casing including at least two hingedly connected sections swingable relative to each other to open and closed positions, two opposite walls of the casing being included in respective ones of said sections, means guiding said trays for rectilinear sliding movement relative to each other in their respective planes from a position of registry to a position of stepped relation, one

end tray in the series being fixed to one of said casing walls, and means including a, connection between the other of said walls and the other end tray of the series for moving saidtrays from said registering relation into said terraced relation and vice versa in response respectively to opening and closing movement of said casing sections.

5. In a chest of the type described, the combination of a series of generally flat trays arranged in face-to-face relation, means including lost motion type connections between adjacent trays in the series for moving the same sequentially into terraced relation in response to a rectilinear lateral displacement of an end tray in the series, a casing for said series of trays dimensioned to receive the same when the trays are in registering relation and includinga't'least two hingedly connected sections, one end tray in the series being fixed to one of said casing sections, and means for moving'the other end tray of the series laterally in a rectilinear path with respect to the next adjacent tray in response to an opening movement of said casing to thereby cause the first mentioned means to shift the trays into terraced relation as an incident to the opening of the casing.

6. In a chest for cigarettes or the like, the combination of a casing including at least two hingedly connected sections swingable relative to each other to open and closed position, a plurality of generally fiat trays dimensioned to be arranged in registering 'relation'within said casing with said casing sections closed, means guiding said trays for rectilinear sliding movement relative to each other in their respective planes from a registering position to a terraced position, and means operable to move said trays from said registering position to said terraced position and vice versa in response respectively to opening and closing movement of said casing sections.

7. In a chest of the type described, the combination of a series of trays arranged in faceto-face relation, means including lost motion type connections between the trays for moving the same sequentially into oifset or terraced relation in response to displacement relative to the other trays of an end tray in the series laterally in the general plane thereof, a casing for said series of trays including at least two pivoted casing sections, one end tray in the series being fixed to one of said sections, the other section presenting a substantially L-shaped cam groove in a plane normal to the axis of the pivot connection of said sections, and the other end tray of the series having a projection thereon received in said cam groove, the leg of said groove in which said projection lies when said sections are closed being generally arcuate about the axis of the pivotal connection of said casing sections.

8. In a chest of the type described, the combination of a series of trays arranged to face-toface relation, means including lost motion type connections between the trays for moving the same sequentially into oifset or terraced relation in response to displacement relative to the other trays of an end tray in the series laterally in the general plane thereof, means confining said trays for rectilinear movement relative to each other and in their respective planes, a casing for said series of trays including at least two pivoted casing sections, one end tray in the series being fixed to one of said sections, the

other section presenting a cam groove in a plane normal to the axis of the pivot connection of said sections, and the other end tray of the series having a projection thereon received in said cam groove.

9. In a chest of the type described, the combination of a series of trays arranged in face-toface relation, means including lost motion type connections between the trays for moving the same sequentially into offset or terraced relation in response to displacement relative to the other trays of an end tray in the series laterally in the general plane thereof, a casing for said series of trays including at least two casing sections, one end tray in the series being fixed to one of said sections, the other section being of generally rectangular box-like form with one open side closed by said one casing section and hinged to it along the edge a side wall of said other section, said other section having a substantially L-shaped rib on the inner face of an end wall thereof with a cam groove extending longitudinally of the rib, and the other end tray of the series having a projection thereon received in said cam groove, the leg of said groove in which said projection lies when said sections are closed being generally arcuate about the axis of the hinge connection between the casing sections.

10. In a chest of the type described, the combination of a series of trays arranged in face-toface relation, means including st motion type connections between the trays for moving the same sequentially into offset or terraced relation in response to a displacement of an end tray in the series laterally in the general plane thereof, a casingfor said series of trays includ ing at least two pivoted casing sections, one end tray in the series being fixed to one of said sections, means including an operative connection between the other end tray in the series and the other casing section for displacing said other end tray laterally with respect to the other trays in response to relative opening movement between said casing sections, and a resilient sheet metal bracket fixed to said one casing section and lying along one end of the seriesof trays with a lip at the free end of the bracket overlying said other end tray in the series to hold said trays releasably in face-to-face relation.

11. In a chest of the type described, the combination of a casing including a pair of hingedly connected sections, a plurality of relatively movable trays enclosed by said casing sections, means including a cam groove on the inner face of a wall of one of said casing sections for moving said trays relative to each other during the opening movement of said casing sections, said cam groove being defined by a pair of elongated opposed shoulders rigid with said one casing section, said groove being closed at its lower end by a shoulder extending transversely between said pair of shoulders, a rounded boss, and means for supporting said boss on the other of said casing sections in position to enter said cam groove and engage said transverse shoulder when the casing sections are closed and for yieldably projecting said boss in a direction to enter said cam groove.

BENTLEY F. RAMSDELL. 

